Toyota Highlander 2009 Price

Toyota Highlander 2009 Price - If the revamped Toyota Highlander is to succeed, it has its work suitable it. It has to carry and also delight children, ingest cargo and dominate snow. It should be safe, comfy as well as lavish, and it should do all these things without breaking the bank-- in vehicle settlements or at the pump. A tall order, no question, but the leading midsize SUV rivals really have actually gotten that good.

Toyota Highlander 2009 Price

The Highlander qualifies on all matters, though it doesn't excel in any one area. Supplied it could preserve its superior resale worth and also dependability, it must show a clever-- if not particularly captivating-- option for many years ahead.

Edgier Styling

Toyota's The golden state layout workshops shaped the outside, which is larger in all significant dimensions compared to the old Highlander. To my eyes, Toyota's smaller RAV4 SUV looks better-proportioned, with simply adequate contours to offset the angles. With its creased headlights, fancy grille as well as characterless bumper, the Highlander seems a bit too glossy-- like a convenience store customer who will not take off his sunglasses.

The rear bumper has dimpled reflectors on each side, and also a lot of trim degrees have a glass hatch that opens independent of the liftgate. Seventeen-inch alloy wheels are standard; the Sporting activity as well as Limited have 19-inchers that fill out the wheel wells well. The Sport has a dark silver grille and smoked-out headlights. The Limited has plainer fronts lights as well as chrome outside moldings.

At 188.4 inches long and 75.2 inches wide, the Highlander casts approximately the same shadow as a Honda Pilot, Subaru Tribeca or Hyundai Veracruz. The Mazda CX-9 and Saturn Overview are both concerning a foot longer.

The In

Toyota has actually spent years building a track record for quality, and also missing any kind of serious competition, the brand-new Highlander might have kept that requirement. The competition is absolutely nothing if not serious, however, and also SUVs like the CX-9 and Veracruz boast some remarkably upscale interiors. In comparison, Toyota drops a bit brief.

The Highlander shares underpinnings with the present Camry, as well as the dashboard births much of the sedan's taste. The center controls are the natural focal point, with extra-large knobs for significant features within simple reach. Sport as well as Limited models have a 3.5-inch screen atop the stereo. It displays gas mileage, outside temperature and also even more. It additionally reveals settings for the optional automatic environment control system, which could split the cabin into as numerous as 3 temperature zones-- 2 front and also one back. The environment controls sit listed below the stereo, and they're very messy. I counted 13 buttons between the two temperature knobs; that's a great deal of ground to cover when you're referencing a readout some 10 inches away. In contrast, the typical hands-on cooling is basic.

Cabin top quality is just average. The home window switches, turn signals and facility controls might go straight into a Lexus, as well as the chrome accents and also electroluminescent assesses look fantastic. The majority of areas are trimmed in hard plastics, nevertheless, as well as the appearances lack the allure of right stuff in a number of rivals. Worst of all is the ceiling's headliner, which is some of the most inexpensive computer mouse fur this side of an economic situation vehicle.

Moms and dads will value the storage options. The facility console between the front seats has four cupholders and a vast storage space bin. Forget laptops; the handwear cover box might fit a little computer. (Most likely not the monitor, though-- let's not get carried away.).

3 typical rows of seats accommodate approximately seven, though you can go down the third row in order to conserve a little money, reducing sitting ability to 5. The pole positions supply plenty of space, with a method extender in the Highlander Limited that prolongs the padding under the vehicle driver's thighs. Nice touch.

The second row is equally commodious, with reclining backrests as well as seat paddings that change backward and forward. The facility seat has Toyota's brand-new Center Stow feature. It's primarily a dive seat, which guests could switch for a plastic center console, turning the second row right into two captain's chairs. The extra portion-- either the middle seat or console-- stores in a floor compartment in between the pole positions. After a few practice runs, I was able to make the change in around 25 secs.

The jump seat is light enough for simple setup. Its convenience is hit and miss, even for a middle seat; the bottom padding is significant, however I can conveniently really feel the hinges under the backrest padding. The plastic console is lighter still, and both pieces have durable installment hooks that need to endure a lot of knocking from overenthusiastic kids.

Relying on where the second row is positioned, the 3rd row can be remarkably adult-friendly. I'm 6 feet tall as well as found headroom a bit tight, however with the 2nd row moved forward a few inches-- maintaining a lot of legroom for a lot of grownups-- the third row's legroom was such that I can endure a brief trip.

Bigger Engine, Better Mileage

All Highlanders get the 3.5-liter V-6 from the Camry, Sienna and several various other Toyotas. In the Highlander it makes 270 horsepower and also 248 pounds-feet of torque. Both are significant gains over last year's V-6, makinged 215 hp and also 222 pounds-feet of torque. A five-speed automatic transmission is basic. Last year's base four-cylinder engine has actually been gone down.

Acceleration suffices off the line as well as more powerful as the engine revs. The transmission helps things along, holding equipments and seldom shifting prematurely. Hard velocity could motivate some abrupt shifts amongst reduced equipments-- much better for acceleration, even worse for comfort-- however most of the time the changes are smooth enough to pass unnoticed. The drivetrain really feels best on the freeway, where it downshifts with marginal equipment searching. 3rd equipment is specifically powerful for 50-to-70 miles per hour passing away.

The optional 4x4 is transparent to the chauffeur. It includes a facility differential to split power 50/50 between the front and also rear wheels every one of the moment. Four-wheel-drive versions have a downhill assist function. Press a dashboard switch, as well as it will slow the SUV to a crawl down steep qualities. The function appears a little bit insincere: There is no low equipment for offroad rock crawling, which suggests you ought to probably prevent anywhere treacherous adequate to require the downhill help.

All Highlanders have a hill-start help that holds the brakes for as much as 3 secs from a stop to prevent the SUV from rolling backwards prior to you have time to strike the gas.

Utilizing the EPA's even more realistic 2008 rating system-- which typically causes decrease numbers-- gas mileage is rated at 18/24 mpg (city/highway) for two-wheel-drive designs and also 17/23 mpg for those with 4x4. These scores lead most midsize SUVs by 1 or 2 mpg. They likewise defeated the old V-6 Highlander by around 1 mpg (changed using the EPA's new computation)-- an outstanding accomplishment, given the new Highlander has even more power as well as considers some 300 pounds a lot more. (Four-cylinder followers won't miss out on much: The old four-cylinder Highlander obtained simply 1 mpg more than the brand-new one does with the V-6.).

Ride & Handling

The unibody building pays for a comfortable trip, with none of the underbody shimmying that afflicted the previous Highlander (which was additionally unibody) and many body-on-frame SUVs. The four-wheel-independent suspension is sport-tuned in the Highlander Sport, however I couldn't find a distinction in ride firmness amongst the base, Sport and also Limited. All three have a little bit a lot more suspension sound over major bumps compared to I've involved anticipate in a midsize SUV.

Wind sound is marginal. Offered a smooth stretch of asphalt, the tires are reasonably quiet. The Sport and also Limited's 19-inch wheels and also P245/55R19 tires discharge a minor hum at highway rates, which I could not discover with the base design's 17-inchers and also thicker P245/65R19 rubber.

All versions currently have electrical power guiding. These systems save a little bit on fuel consumption-- a little low-hanging fruit to satisfy the federal government's fuel economic climate criteria, I presume-- but they frequently result in drab, synthetic steering feel. Expectedly, the Highlander steers with a light touch, never ever delivering much in the method of comments or turning precision. The CX-9 prices better in this regard, yet few other rivals stand out. The exact same holds true for body roll: Like a lot of SUVs, the Highlander leans away in curves, reminding chauffeurs it's not to be caught swiftly.

With all three rows installed as well as raised, cargo room in back is a weak 10.3 cubic feet. The 3rd row folds up level into the floor, and also the second row folds up nearly level. Highlanders without the 3rd row rather include a relatively huge storage space area under the back floor.

With all seats folded up, optimal cargo volume is 95.4 cubic feet, which compares extra favorably with the group.

When effectively furnished, the Highlander can tow as much as 5,000 extra pounds.Safety.

In Insurance Policy Institute for Freeway Safety and security frontal collision examinations, the 2008 Highlander racked up the highest possible score, Excellent. IIHS has not examined the Highlander for side effects.

Toyota didn't stint security functions. All Highlanders come standard with four-wheel-disc antilock brakes, grip control and an electronic stability system. The security system currently works with the electric power steering, which increases the power help when the vehicle driver is steering to remedy a skid. It additionally aids combat guiding pull under hard braking to assist the Highlander stop in a straight line. (Toyota states the system can not guide the SUV by itself, as some advanced systems currently do, so if you guide the upside-down in a skid, don't anticipate any type of added power help.).

Seven air bags are standard, including the needed twin front air bags, a motorist's knee airbag as well as side-impact airbags for the pole positions. There are likewise roll-sensing side drape air bags for all three rows, which deploy during a rollover to avoid passenger ejection.

All seats have head restraints, and also in Sporting activity and Limited versions, the front ones are forward-adjustable for better whiplash protection. Energetic head restraints are basic on the pole positions of all trims. The 2nd row consists of Latch child-seat supports in the outboard seats, with quickly available top-tether anchors midway down the seatback.

Features & Rates

Omitting the location fee, the base Highlander with two-wheel drive begins at $27,300. A Highlander Limited with a full collection of alternatives runs around $42,000. 4x4 on any type of trim adds concerning $1,500. All trim levels come with three rows of seats, though a third-row remove alternative on certain designs could conserve $740.

For $27,300, the base Highlander comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry, a CD stereo with a supporting MP3 jack, air conditioning, cruise ship control, and also power home windows, mirrors as well as door locks.For $29,950, the Sporting activity includes darkened outside aspects, 19-inch wheels, fog lights, a power vehicle driver's seat, a multifunction steering wheel, a back-up electronic camera and also six-CD audio.For $32,700, the Restricted adds a keyless start-up system, automated environment control, leather upholstery and a power traveler seat. A lot of these functions are optional on the Sporting activity. Alternatives on both trim levels include a navigation system, JBL costs audio, a backseat DVD player, a moonroof, a power tailgate as well as warmed pole positions.

Highlander in the marketplace

Rivals from GM, Mazda and Hyundai will give the Highlander a run for its money. Its biggest opponent, the Honda Pilot, is due for a redesign in the next year or two, and also Toyota's secret weapon-- its credibility for top quality and reliability-- has actually been sliding recently. The car manufacturer has actually promised to enhance its efforts, and also its most current SUV must prove that.

The new Highlander has great deals of book perceptiveness, like suitable gas mileage and tons of security attributes, but there's nothing remarkable about it. If it shows as bulletproof as its precursor, though, reliability will certainly become its defining quality, which is a textbook draw a great deal of customers could support.